Abstract: A system and method of detecting whether a seat belt is worn is disclosed. The system includes a contact type sensor and a non-contact type sensor installed in a seat belt buckle. A Body Control Module (BCM) receives a signal from the contact type sensor and transmitting the signal to a cluster. An airbag control unit receives a signal from the non-contact type sensor. The seat belt control unit determines whether a seat belt is worn using a signal received from the cluster when an ignition key is off, and determines whether the seat belt is worn using a signal received from the airbag control unit when the ignition key is on.

Abstract: A vehicle safety belt warning device which comprises a sensing member and a warning member electrically coupled to the sensing member. The sensing member comprises a magnetic element installed on a first buckle member of the vehicle safety belt buckle set and a magnetically-activated control element installed on a second buckle member of the vehicle safety belt buckle set. When the first buckle member and the second buckle member are not engaged, the warning member gives off a warning signal in the form of sound, light or combination thereof.

Abstract: A system for child safety relating to a child safety seat that is in communication with the internal wiring or computer system of a vehicle such that when the vehicle ignition is turned off and the child safety seat is engaged, an audible alert is emitted through the vehicle speakers.

Abstract: The present invention is, in one embodiment, directed to a system and method to encourage seat belt use among all passengers in a vehicle. The system and method use media driver and entertainment devices to reward seat belt usage in all seating positions.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for monitoring seat belt use in a vehicle from the exterior of the vehicle is provided. Seat belt use indicator lights are positioned on the exterior of a vehicle and wirelessly connected to or hardwired to sensors located in seat belt buckle assemblies to provide information about the use of the seatbelt. One or multiple indicator lights grouped in cluster arrangements to simulate the seat arrangement in a vehicle can be implemented. The apparatus may also be used in aircraft to monitor seat belt use remotely from within the aircraft.

Abstract: A vehicle system for communicating with a child seat is provided with a receiver configured for receiving a seat sensor signal from a child seat controller. A controller is configured for communicating with the receiver for analyzing the seat sensor signal and comparing the seat sensor signal to pre-existing guidelines to determine a status message. A user interface is configured for communicating with the controller for displaying the status message. The child seat is provided with a plurality of seat sensors for measuring different adjustable features of the seat including; a harness sensor for measuring a tension within a harness; a buckle switch for measuring a connection of a buckle; and a level sensor for measuring an inclination of a seat sub-assembly. The seat controller is provided for receiving measurement signals from the seat sensors and transmitting the seat sensor signal.

Abstract: A seat folding apparatus is provided with a passive Rf frequency link that requires that a person be within a certain limited distance from the vehicle to operate the seat folding mechanism. A foreign object detection system, such as a plurality of weight sensors, is provided in the seat to detect foreign objects on the seat.

Abstract: There is provided a system and methods for mitigation of the potential dangers to which at least a child, and passengers, are exposed to prior to, during travel and after travel, when outside and adjacent a vehicle. Potential dangers to which a child is exposed are risks associated with driving and non-driving behavior of the driver, when the child is inside and outside the vehicle, when the vehicle is driven on public roads and on private property grounds, and as a result of deficient of mistaken operation of child and passenger related devices. The system and methods require input commands into an indicator to operate equipment elements aboard the vehicle, including sensors, operable devices and alert systems, and are operative for communication with remote stations, with adjacent-driven vehicles, and with the vehicle owner.

Abstract: A capacitance type seat occupant sensor system of a vehicle includes an AC electric power source, a main electrode disposed at a seat of the vehicle to form an electric field between the main electrode and the body of the vehicle, a guard electrode disposed between a seat frame and the main electrode, a switch unit for establishing connection of the guard electrode to have the same potential as the main electrode to provide a seat occupant sensing mode, an impedance calculating unit for calculating an impedance of a sensing circuit based on the AC voltage and an amount of current flowing through the sensing circuit, a real-part-and-imaginary-part calculating unit and judging unit for discriminating an occupant on the seat based on at least the imaginary part of the first impedance.

Abstract: An occupant detecting apparatus includes a detecting portion detecting whether an occupant is seated on a seat, and a judging portion judging whether the occupant occupies the seat on the basis of information detected by the detecting portion. The judging portion judges that the seat is unoccupied by the occupant when a state where a detection that the occupant is not seated on the seat by the detecting portion continues for a judgment time after the detecting portion detects that the seat is occupied by the occupant.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of a check fixture for measuring the accessibility of a lower car seat anchor to a user installing a car seat, and methods thereof. One embodiment of a check fixture comprises a body having a rear end and a front end, the body defining a longitudinal axis. The front end comprises an anchor engaging structure and the rear end comprises a force gauge interface. The fixture also comprises a flange at least partially circumferentially positioned around the body at a longitudinal position a distance from the front end. The flange includes a bearing surface substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, the bearing surface sized and configured so that when the front end is moved into engagement with the anchor, the bearing surface engages the seating material adjacent the access aperture. The engagement of the flange with the seating material generates a reactive force.

Abstract: A display device for vehicles has a screen 2 that is composed of a soft material and is mounted on a surface of a panel 6 installed in front of a seat; a projection unit 1 that is mounted at the back of the panel and generates projection light to be projected onto the screen to form an image, reflection components 31-32 for reflecting the projection light generated by the projection unit, and a light-guiding component 4 for having the reflection components reflect the projection light a plurality of times to guide it to the screen.

Abstract: A child seat and a method for monitoring installation of the child seat are provided. The child seat includes a child seat frame configured to receive a child occupant. The child seat frame is configured to receive a seat belt webbing for securing the child seat frame to a vehicle seat. The child seat further includes a first bladder configured to contact the seat belt webbing. The first bladder has a fluid therein. The child seat further includes a first pressure sensor fluidly communicating with the fluid in the first bladder. The first pressure sensor is configured to output a first signal indicative of an amount of pressure in the first bladder. The child seat further includes a controller coupled to the child seat frame configured to receive the first signal and to compute a first tension value based on the first signal.

Abstract: A wireless system that detects the presence of a child in a safety seat located in the passenger cabin of a vehicle includes a controller responsive to signals generated by sensors monitoring predefined functions of the vehicle, RFID tag device attached to the safety seat and RFID tag reader mounted in the cabin. The system generates control signals which activate an alarm, open the doors of the vehicle and roll down windows if the child is left in the safety seat of an unattended vehicle.

Abstract: Provided are a control system and method for protecting a child occupant of a vehicle. The control system includes a detecting unit, a monitoring unit, and a control unit. The detecting unit detects occupant data including weights of occupants and deployed lengths of seat belts. The monitoring unit determines whether the occupant is a child, whether the occupant has a seat belt on, and an occupant position based on the detected occupant data to generate occupant status data according to the determined results. The control unit controls a vehicle peripheral device according to the occupant status data when the occupant status data is received.

Abstract: An occupant detection system includes occupant sensors on each of plural seats, first resistors in connection to each of the occupant sensors with different resistance values, a power supply line that supplies electric power to the sensors and resistors from a power source by connecting those parts and the power source, and a control unit that detects occupancy of each of the plural seats based on an electric current value of the power supply line. The occupant detection system having the above configuration detects the occupancy of each of the plural seats without increasing the number of input terminals on the control unit.

Abstract: A warning system for notifying another person when a child is left in a child safety seat. The system recognizes a child in a child safety seat by either a pressure pad or a secured child seat lap belt. The system is activated by the release of the driver's seat belt. Should a child remain in the seat when the driver's seat belt is disengaged, the system alarms notifying the driver of such. The alarm would include a calm audio output such as a lullaby, a song, or a story. The system can be integrated into the OEM features to provide an alert escalation process using a local alert, a vehicle alert, a wireless alert and ultimately a 911 alert.

Abstract: A self-powered sensor detects or measures an event by converting one form of energy into another form. The converted energy may be conditioned and regulated to drive a wireless transmitter and encoder. A receiver may detect and validate a received message. If validated, the message may be processed or decrypted and processed to determine what has been identified or requested.

Abstract: A technique for reinforcing seatbelt usage in automobiles is described. One implementation of which includes a weight sensor in the car seat that detects occupancy by a person and generates an occupancy signal that is transmitted to a seatbelt monitor unit that receives both the occupancy signal and a buckled seatbelt signal (based on a magnetic switch in the female portion of the buckle), and based thereupon, generates an unbuckled seatbelt alarm signal if the buckled seatbelt signal indicates that the buckle is not buckled when the transmitted occupancy signal indicates that the respective seat is occupied. A program executing on the automobile's stock computer then receives the unbuckled seatbelt alarm signal from the seatbelt monitor unit and handicaps the operation of the automobile in a predetermined way (e.g., speed limitation, engine kill, etc.).

Abstract: To provide a buckle switch and buckle device wherein a first switch section and a second switch section are unitized to provide improved assembling workability and increased production efficiency. As a tongue plate is inserted to a buckle body to move a slider, a pressing segment 23b of the slider rotates a leaf spring 46 in a direction a and, hence, a depressible portion 44c is depressed to cause a movable member 44 to move in a direction X2. At this time, a stationary contact 71a moves into and is pinched by pinch members 53 of a movable contact 50 disposed on the movable member 44, rendering the switch section SW1 to assume a conductive state. Concurrently, since a magnet M2 is placed in opposition to a magnetic detecting element 61, a second switch section SW2 is switched over. By unitizing the first and second switch sections, assembling workability of a buckle switch 40 to the buckle body can be improved, enabling an increase in production efficiency.

Abstract: An adaptive light seatbelt system is provided. The system includes a buckle housing, a light positioned in the buckle housing so that the light is visible to an occupant of a vehicle, a controller for controlling the light, and a signaler for providing an input to the controller. The system indicates a state of the buckle housing by controlling the light.

Abstract: An alarm device for a vehicle includes state information obtaining unit, alarm information obtaining unit, alarming unit, and controlling unit. The state information obtaining obtains as state information at least one of information of an occupant, information of the vehicle, and information of a surrounding of the vehicle. The alarm information obtaining unit obtains alarm information. The alarming unit informs the occupant of the alarm information. The controlling unit determines an expiration time of the alarm information based on the state information obtained by the state information obtaining unit when the controlling unit receives the alarm information from the alarm information obtaining unit, wherein the control unit causes the alarming unit to inform the occupant of the alarm information while the expiration time is valid.

Abstract: An automotive restraint monitoring assembly is provided comprised of a seatbelt assembly including a buckle element and clip element affixed to an automotive seat assembly. A wireless transponder element and transponder antenna are positioned within the buckle element and transmit a seat-based unique identification signal only when the clip element is positioned within the buckle element. A base station mounted within a vehicle includes at least one base station antenna in wireless communication with the wireless transponder. A vehicle belt alert system is in communication with the base station.

Abstract: A buckle (6) according to the present invention includes a buckle switch (11) to be actuated when a tongue (5) is retained; a seat-belt reminder apparatus (12) that gives a warn when the tongue (5) is not retained to the buckle (6) even if an occupant sits in a vehicle seat (2); and an occupant detection device (13) for detecting the occupant sitting in the vehicle seat (2) that are integrally provided and unitized. Thereby, the buckle (6) has a seat-belt reminder function.

Abstract: A seat belt warning system comprises a sensing system associated to a vehicle seat for sensing a seat belt related status with respect to said vehicle seat and a control unit communicating with said sensing system for generating a warning signal depending on the seat belt related status determined by said sensing system. The sensing system comprises a seat occupancy detector (16) for determining a seat occupancy status of a vehicle seat and a seat belt fastening detector (18) for determining a seat belt usage condition. According to the invention said sensing system further comprises a first surface acoustic wave device (26) including at least one surface acoustic wave resonator (26?) and an antenna (26?) and in that said control unit (20) comprises an RF antenna (22) for remotely communicating with said surface acoustic wave device (26).

Abstract: An electronic system to induce the occupants of a vehicle to fasten seat belts is described. The electronic system is configured to determine an alert condition indicating that a seat belt of at least one occupant of the vehicle is not fastened or is not properly fastened. The electronic system is also configured to allow the car radio to operate even when said alert condition is present, and to control the volume of the car radio for as long as said alert condition persists, preventing it from exceeding a low volume level.

Abstract: A seatbelt usage indicator system for indicating the frequency of usage of a seatbelt of a vehicle includes a plurality of buckles being secured to a vehicle. A latch plate of each of a plurality of seatbelts is inserted into one of the buckles to secure each of the seatbelts to one of the buckles. Each of the buckles has one of a plurality of counter assemblies coupled thereto. Each of the counter assemblies is actuated when the latch plate is inserted into the associated one of the buckles to count the number of times the latch plate has been inserted. Each of the counter assemblies displays the number of times the latch plate has been inserted into the associated one of the buckles.

Abstract: A safety belt has an inner face turned toward the body of a user and an outer face turned away from the user. A plurality of sensor are mounted on the outer face, and the inner face is devoid of sensors. A selector connected to the sensors determines which sensor is best positioned for signal quality and for using the signal therefrom.

Abstract: A system and method for assessing threats from specific passengers and reducing the risk of bodily injury in the event of a threat aboard a multi-passenger commercial vehicle. The present system evaluates the latched status of a multitude of seat belts, reporting same to either a fixed position panel, or one or more portable units. The fixed panel provides the information to cabin crew members, thereby reducing the number of times they must traverse the cabin to physically inspect seat belts. In the event of a disturbance, it can be presumed that all passengers with fastened seat belts are a non-threat, while those unsecured are more likely to pose a threat. The portable receiver units can be used by sky marshal personnel to surreptitiously monitor the status of all seat belts without revealing their task of threat control.

Abstract: A system and method for notifying primary and second drivers about a status of a safety restraint in a vehicle is provided. A primary and secondary keys are adapted to be associated to the primary and secondary drivers. A key ignition device is positioned on each of the primary key and secondary keys. The key ignition device is adapted to generate driver status signals indicative of whether the driver the primary driver or the secondary driver. A controller is adapted to determine whether the driver of the vehicle is the primary driver or the secondary driver based on the driver status signals. The controller is further adapted to generate restraint status signals indicative of the status of the safety restraint. The controller is further adapted to selectively control the operation of generating the restraint signals based on whether the driver of the vehicle is the primary or secondary driver.

Abstract: The present invention is, in one embodiment, directed to a system and method to encourage seat belt use among all passengers in a vehicle. The system and method use media driver and entertainment devices to reward seat belt usage in all seating positions.

Abstract: A light is positionable on a rear of a vehicle and a source of electrical potential. Electrical lines with a flasher couple the light and the source of electrical potential. A latchable seatbelt with a buckle and a seatbelt switch is coupled to the light and the source of electrical potential. The seatbelt switch constitutes an open electrical switch when not latched. The seatbelt switch constitutes a closed electrical switch when the seatbelt is latched. The seatbelt when latched functions with the source of potential to configure the light in a first continuously illuminated manner. The seatbelt when not latched functions to configure the light in a second flashing manner.

Abstract: A seat belt notification system and process for a vehicle can include an occupant detection sensor operable to determine if a vehicle seat is in one of an occupied condition or an unoccupied condition. A seat belt sensor can be operable to determine if a seat belt associated with the vehicle seat is in one of a buckled condition and an unbuckled condition. A feedback device can be operable to provide a physical response to a particular vehicle seat, if the occupant detection sensor determines that the particular vehicle seat is in an occupied condition and the seat belt sensor determines that the seat belt associated with the particular vehicle seat is in an unbuckled condition.

Abstract: A wireless, self-activating, proximity warning system utilizes an on-board computer of an automobile and a GPS locating system to sending a warning signal to a vehicle operator that a child has been left buckled and unattended in an infant seat. A transmitter associated with the child seat transmits coded RF signals of certain strength to a receiver carried by the operator. The receiver triggers an alarm when the signal strength or time between transmitted signals indicates that the operator has gone beyond a permitted range.

Abstract: A system and method of detecting whether a seat belt is worn is disclosed. The system includes a contact type sensor and a non-contact type sensor installed in a seat belt buckle. A Body Control Module (BCM) receives a signal from the contact type sensor and transmitting the signal to a cluster. An airbag control unit receives a signal from the non-contact type sensor. The seat belt control unit determines whether a seat belt is worn using a signal received from the cluster when an ignition key is on, and determines whether the seat belt is worn using a signal received from the airbag control unit when the ignition key is off.

Abstract: A vehicle alarm system for alerting occupants when an infant is left unattended on a child seat within a vehicle. The system comprising a plurality of buckles disposed on the child seat, at least one switch coupled to the plurality of buckles, a visual alerting device, a speaker, and wherein when at least one buckle of the plurality of buckles is engaged for a predetermined time period after a vehicle ignition is turned-off, the at least one switch transmits a signal activating the visual alerting device and the speaker.

Abstract: A wireless system that detects the presence of a child in a safety seat located in the passenger cabin of a vehicle includes a controller responsive to signals generated by sensors monitoring predefined functions of the vehicle, RFID tag device attached to the safety seat and RFID tag reader mounted in the cabin. The system generates control signals which activate an alarm, open the doors of the vehicle and roll down windows if the child is left in the safety seat of an unattended vehicle.

Abstract: There is provided a system and methods for mitigation of the potential dangers to which at least a child, and passengers, are exposed to prior to, during travel and after travel, when outside and adjacent a vehicle. Potential dangers to which a child is exposed are risks associated with driving and non-driving behavior of the driver, when the child is inside and outside the vehicle, when the vehicle is driven on public roads and on private property grounds, and as a result of deficient of mistaken operation of child and passenger related devices. The system and methods require input commands into an indicator to operate equipment elements aboard the vehicle, including sensors, operable devices and alert systems, and are operative for communication with remote stations, with adjacent-driven vehicles, and with the vehicle owner.

Abstract: A device for detecting the occupancy status of a vehicle seat with an electrical capacity sensor device that is arranged in a seat belt buckle assigned to the vehicle seat and whose electrical capacity is altered relative to a reference potential (mass, ground) by the presence of a person occupying the vehicle seat and which, as a result, emits an electrical seat occupant presence output signal.

Abstract: An apparatus for securing a motor vehicle seat belt includes a housing, a control module, a jaw and a clamp. The jaw and the clamp are connected by a hinge. Gripping elements on the bottom of the housing and the top of the clamp allow the securing device to be attached to the seat belt when it is in extended position, providing extra slack in the belt to allow a person to secure an individual sitting in an auxiliary seat to be secured to a motor vehicle seat by means of the motor vehicle seat belt system. Audible and visible indicators are incorporated to let the person know that the apparatus is still in place and should be removed after the auxiliary seat has been attached to the seat belt, thereby securing the individual in the auxiliary seat.

Abstract: A system for promoting safe driving includes a hazard detector connected to the vehicle electrical system and providing an output signal corresponding to an unsafe condition, such as an unbuckled passive restraint. The output signal activates a relay, which interrupts operation of another vehicle system, such as the sound system. A method of promoting safe driving includes detecting an internal or external hazard and interrupting operation of a vehicle system in response thereto.

Abstract: A system for signaling that a person is in an vehicle is provided and includes a power source, a processing unit including a counter, a state monitoring unit configured to monitor an internal temperature of the vehicle and to monitor whether the vehicle is in an off state and a door monitoring unit configured to monitor whether any of the vehicle doors are open or closed, a first buckle receiver, including a first signal issuing unit, a first buckle to be removably inserted into the buckle receiver and to thereby cause the first signal issuing unit to issue an installation signal to the processing unit, a second buckle receiver, including a second signal issuing unit, a second buckle to be removably inserted into the second buckle receiver and to thereby cause the second signal issuing unit to issue an occupation signal to the processing unit, and an alarm unit.

Abstract: This patent discloses a warning system for a child restraint system. The child restraint system may include a base and a seat connected to the base. The seat may include supports for the back, torso, right leg, and left leg and may include sensors to detect the presence of a back, torso, right leg, and left leg, respectively. The seat also may include a right harness strap and a left harness strap that may connect to a child seat buckle and to a chest clip. The seat also may have a locking clip a tether strap having a hook. The seat may contain detectors to determine whether the straps, buckles, clips, and straps are properly connected while a is present in the seat. If not properly connected, an alarm may sound.

Abstract: A system for detecting proper usage of a seatbelt in a vehicle by an operator of the vehicle is provided. The seatbelt usage detection system includes a first communication device arranged on the seatbelt and a second communication device. One of the first and second communication devices is a transmitter and the other of the first and second communication devices is a receiver. The receiver and transmitter are capable of establishing a communication link with each other. The second communication device is arranged in the vehicle so as to be able to establish a communication link with the first communication device of a predetermined signal strength upon proper fastening of the seatbelt around the body of an operator. The system also includes a processing unit for monitoring the signal strength of the communication link between the first and second communication devices and for providing a signal that the seatbelt is unfastened when the signal strength is less than the predetermined signal strength.

Abstract: A passenger detection system is provided. A sensor measures capacitance, electric field effects or other characteristic responsive to a load in a seating area. The sensor uses one or more electrodes (e.g., a transmit and receive electrode or one electrode for transmit and one or more electrodes for receive). Other electrodes are connected with different impedances. Measuring by a sensor, but with other electrodes connected with different impedances, may distinguish between an occupant and inanimate objects, may distinguish between characteristics of a passenger (e.g., size, height, weight or position), or may indicate a grounding state of an occupant.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a vehicle including a seat belt that is brought into a fastened state as fastening operation is performed through preliminary operation that is performed before the seat belt is fastened. The vehicle includes a first transmitter that transmits a predetermined signal by radio when the fastening operation is detected, a second transmitter that transmits a predetermined signal by radio when the preliminary operation is detected, a receiver that receives the signal from the first transmitter and the signal from the second transmitter, and a control section that determines the fastened state of the seat belt on the basis of the signals received by the receiver. The state of the receiver is switched from an intermittent operation state to a continuous operation state as the signal from the second transmitter is received.

Abstract: A system for generating a reminder signal to one or more individuals exiting a vehicle for purposes of preventing the inadvertent leaving of a child, pet or other object therein. A sensor assembly monitors the presence of an individual within a predetermined proximity area and actuates an alarm assembly so as to generate a demonstrable reminder signal of significant intensity. A control assembly operatively connected to the sensor assembly comprises both arming and shut-off capabilities which are automatically and/or manually operable, respectively, to activate and deactivate the sensor assembly. In operation, the sensor assembly will cause the alarm assembly to generate the reminder signal upon the passage of one or more individuals out of the predetermined proximity area thereby forcing a return to the vehicle to deactivate the system, wherein the interior of the vehicle is readily observable to determine the existence of an inadvertently left object.

Abstract: The disclosed detection circuit for a seatbelt apparatus may include an attachment detection switch, first and second resistance elements, and an LED. The resistance value of the first resistance element may be set to a value which allows a current smaller than the maximum current value which cannot turn the LED on to flow through the LED when the attachment detection switch is in an OFF state. The resistance values of the first and second resistance elements can be set to values which allow a current larger than the minimum current value which can turn the LED on to flow through the LED when the attachment detection switch is in an ON state. A monitoring circuit may determine whether or not the tongue on the seat is attached to the buckle.

Abstract: A vehicle safety belt warning device which comprises a sensing member and a warning member electrically coupled to the sensing member. The sensing member comprises a magnetic element installed on a first buckle member of the vehicle safety belt buckle set and a magnetically-activated control element installed on a second buckle member of the vehicle safety belt buckle set. When the first buckle member and the second buckle member are not engaged, the warning member gives off a warning signal in the form of sound, light or combination thereof.

Abstract: A seatbelt alarm device for a vehicle includes a seat sensor, a seatbelt sensor, a judgment circuit, an alarm unit, and a child seat sensor. The seat sensor detects a mass on a seat of the vehicle. The seatbelt sensor detects whether a seatbelt of the seat is engaged with a seatbelt buckle. The judgment circuit generates a demand for a seatbelt-wear alarm upon determining that a mass sits on the seat and the seatbelt is not engaged according to detection signals of the seat sensor and the seatbelt sensor, respectively. The alarm unit generates the seatbelt-wear alarm. The child seat sensor detects a child seat mounted on the seat. The judgment circuit restricts operation of the alarm unit when the judgment circuit determines that the child seat is mounted to the seat according to a detection signal of the child seat sensor.